senator joe manchin of west virginia, who co-chairs no labels with governor huntsman. >> hello. this is senator joe manchin. it is a pleasure to send my greens to all of you attending the national conference of state legislatures 2013 fall forum. i regret that i cannot join you in person today. i send you my best wishes for an enjoyable and productive meeting. the strength of the national conference of state legislatures rests in your bipartisan efforts and your commitment to serving democrats, republicans and independents. it is truly a breath of fresh air that your organization recognizes that we need to work together and put the american people and commonsense solutions ahead of politics. as a former governor and state legislature of the great state of west virginia, i was shocked when i arrived in the senate only to realize that there's not only guilt by association in washington but also killed i conversation but as a democrat i was frowned upon for even talking to colleagues within our ahead of the name. that is why from the earliest days in congress i became a member of t